Quarry rockfall: Removal of boulders to be completed by 70 per cent today

IPOH - About 70 per cent of the boulders in the quarry rockfall at Keramat Pulai is expected to be completed today to identify the exact location of the two victims buried under the rubble.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) deputy commander of operations Aidil Adlee Che Mee said the process would, however, depend on the weather factor and ground condition.

"We are actively working on the process of removing the rocks and boulders stone so that we can open a path to the last location of the two victims.

"Today's operation started with an explosion on the boulders to facilitate removal work, as well as tactical assessment of the operation by the rescue team," he added.

He said the operation, which started at 8 am today, involved 62 personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department, police, Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM), Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART), who are assisted by officers from the Department of Mineral and Geoscience, as well as quarry workers.

The operation entered its fifth day today.

In the 9.15am incident on Tuesday, two victims, Kheow Loo Siew Soon, 49, and Itam Lasoh, 43 were buried while two more victims, Mohd Razli Suhaimi, 35, suffered a broken leg while Pan Tam, 38, sustained light injuries. - BERNAMA